Sectional boat structure



,March 12, 1968 o LUGER ET AL 3,372,408

SECTIONAL BOAT STRUCTURE Filed March 11, 1966 INVENTORS 09140410 A.Z0625 854M104 c/ L065? M 1% United States Patent Office 3,372,4fi8Patented Mar. 12, 1968 3,372,408 SECTIQNAL BGAT STRUCTURE Orrmoud L.Luger and Rennold J. Luger, In, Ediua, Minn, assignors to LugerIndustries, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota FiledMar. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 53.35% 3 Claims. (Cl. 9-6) ABSTRACT OF THEDESCLOSURE A sectional plastic boat kit including a lower sectiondefining the bottom portion of the boat hull. A pair of side sectionssecured to the lower section and defining the sides of the boat. Atransom section extending between and secured to the side sections andsecured to the lower sections. A pair of deck sections secured to theside sections, and a channel shaped joint member overlapping and securedto the side sections. A frame structure secured to the interior surfacesof the lower and side sections to maintain a proper contour of the boat.

This invention relates to boats and more specifically to a sectionalboat.

The general object of this invention is to provide a sectional boatformed of a fiberglass reinforced plastic material in which relativelylarge sections of the boat are preformed so that the boat may be shippedand sold in kit form. By preforming the boat so that the sections whichare preformed actually constitute longitudinal sections of the boat, aboat kit may be provided wherein the parts may be included in a packageof relatively small compass with respect to the width and depthdimensions of the package. With this particular arrangement, boat kitsfor relatively large boats such as cruiser size, approximately thirtyfeet or more, may be provided but which may be very conveniently andeconomically shipped and otherwise handled. Specifically, thelongitudinal sections of the boat including the bottom or lower hullstructure and sides are preshaped, preferably by molding, and are joinedtogether by suitable fastening means such as bolts, adhesive means andthe like.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fullyappear from the following descrip tion made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of the hull of the boatillustrating the shape and structure of the various sections prior toassembly;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hull of the boat in anassembled condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view illustrating how certainparts of the sectional boat are joined together;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view illustrating how othersections of the boat are interconnected together;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the deck section; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view similar to FIG. 1 butillustrating a modified form of the boat.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 it will be seen that one embodiment of thenovel sectional boat, designated generally by the reference numeral 10,is there shown. The sectional boat is preferably delivered to apurchaser in kit form, but is arranged and constructed to permit readyassembly thereof and includes a sectional hull designated generally bythe reference numeral 11.

The sectional hull 11 includes a lower section 12 formed of fiberglassreinforced plastic material such as a polyester system and which definesthe bottom of the hull. This lower section has a concave upper surfaceand a convex lower surface and the width of this lower sectionprogressively narrows from approximately midships forwardly to asubstantially upwardly inclined bow or prow line. The concave or convexlower section 12 terminates upwardly in longitudinal peripheral edgeportions 13 that define attachment surfaces and the stern end of thelower section is defined by a transverse upstanding shallow stern wall14 that also terminates in an upper peripheral edge por tion 15 whichdefines attachment surfaces thereat.

The sectional hull 11 also includes a pair of side sections 15 alsoformed of fiberglass reinforced plastic material such as a polyesterresin system and each is a mirror image of the other. It will be notedthat these sections flare outwardly slightly from the stern end and thenconverge forwardly as at 17. Each side section 16 substantiallythroughout its length is inwardly and slightly downwardly offsetadjacent its lower peripheral edge to define a downwardly facingshoulder 18, as best seen in FIG. 4, and terminates in downwardlyextending periph eral edge portions 19. These lower peripherallongitudinal edge portions define attachment surfaces which mate withthe u er longitudinal attachment surfaces of the lower section 12.

Each side section 16 also has a longitudinal upper peripheral edgeportion 20 which defines attachment surfaces adjacent thereto and eachside section terminates forwardly and upwardly inclined forwardperipheral edge portion 21 which is disposed in engaging relation withthe inclined forward peripheral edge portion of the other side section.it will be noted that the stern end of each side section 16 is inwardlyoffset to define a rearwardly facing shoulder or surface 22 andterminates in a vertical peripheral edge portion 23 as best seen inFIG. 1. The vertical peripheral edge portions of each side section 16also defines an attachment surface in the manner of the other attachmentsurfaces described hereinabove.

The hull 11 includes a transom section 24 which as shown is of generallyrectangular shaped configuration and which is also formed of fiberglassreinforced plastic material in the manner of the previously describedhull sections. This transom section has forwardly turned generallyvertically extending peripheral edge portions 25 each of which definesattachment surfaces for engaging the vertical attachment surfaces on theside section 16. The transom section 24 is also offset forwardlythroughout its width to define a shoulder 26 and terminates downwardlyin a lower transverse peripheral edge portion 27.

The transom section 24 is secured to the lower section 12 and the sidesection 16. The hull is also provided with a reinforcing frame structuredesignated generally by the reference numeral 28 and comprised of aplurality of longitudinally extending frame members 29. Theselongitudinally extending frame members 29 are preferably constructed ofwood as are the other members of the frame structure and are secured tothe upper concave surface of the lower section 12 by any suitablebonding agent such as glue or the like. The frame structure 28 alsoincludes a plurality of transverse frame members 30 which may be notchedto receive the longitudinal frame members 29 therethrough and which havetransversely convex lower surfaces that engage the concave upper surfaceof the lower section 12 and are also secured thereto by a suitablebonding agent. Elongate upstanding side members 31 are secured at theirlower ends to the ends of the transverse frame members 34 by suitableattachment means such as screws or the like and project upwardly andoutwardly therefrom. It is also pointed out that the transverse framemembers 30 are secured to the longitudinal frame members 2? byconventional screws or their equivalent. It is pointed out that thelongitudinal and transverse frame members of the frame structure 28 areso arranged and constructed with respect to their interlocking slots,that the transverse frame members will interlock with the longitudinalframe members in a predetermined manner. This arrangement preventsinterlocking of the transverse and longitudinal frame members in animproper arrangement. It is further pointed out that the longitudinaltransverse and side frame members when interconnected together to definethe frame structure not only provide an attachment and supporting mediumfor the various sections of the hull but also serve as a means forshaping these flexible hull sections to the proper configuration.

When the boat 10 is assembled, the frame structure 28 will be that partwhich is first assembled and will thereafter be placed upon a supportingstructure and inverted. The lower hull section 12 is then attached tothe frame structure 28 by a suitable bonding agent and the side sectionsare thereafter secured to the lower section 12 and to the side framemembers 31. Referring now to FIG. 4 it will be seen that the upperlongitudinal attachment surfaces 13 of the lower section abut againstthe shoulder 18 and engage the lower longitudinal attachment surfaces 19f the side section 16. A suitable bonding agent is applied between theseinterengaging surfaces, and this bonding agent may be any suitableplastic cement which is compatible with the polyester system from whichthe various sections of the sectional hull are made. The interengagingattachment surfaces between the lower section and side sections are alsointerconnected together by suitable securing means such as rivets 32. Anelongate fiberglass strip or mat 33 impregnated with a compatibleplastic bonding agent is applied to the interior of the lapped jointbetween the attachment surfaces of the lower and side sections to form awater tight seal thereat and to increase the strength of the structurealong this joint.

The bonding agent is also applied to the interengaging peripheral edgeportions 21 and to the interengaging attachment surfaces between thelower, side and transom sections. To this end it is pointed out that thevertical peripheral portions 23 are positioned within the 'verticalperipheral portions 25 of the transom section 24 so that the exteriorsurface of each side section is coplanar and continuous with theexterior surface of each forwardly turned peripheral edge portion 25.The lower transverse peripheral edge portion 27 of the transom section24 is positioned interiorly or forwardly of the stern portion 14 of thelower section 12, the respective attachment portions interengaging eachother. Thus the rear or exterior surface of the transom section 24 iscoplanar with the exterior or rear surface of the stern portion 14. Thebonding agent together with suitable rivet means very effectivelysecures the transom section to the side sections and the lower section.Suitable elongate resin impregnated fiberglass strips may be applied tothe interior surface of these interengaging attachment surfaces of thetransom, side and lower sections to form a water tight seal thereat.

Although the inclined front peripheral edges 21 of the side sections areinterconnected together by a suitable bonding agent, these interengagingagents may be retained in engaging relation by suitable strips of tapeor other material. Further in order to produce not only a water seal atthe bow of the boat, but also to produce an extremely strong jointthereat, an elongate generally channel-shaped joint member 34 isprovided and overlaps the interengaging peripheral edges 21 and issecured to the side section by the compatible plastic bonding agent. Itis pointed out that this joint member 34 is also constructed offiberglass reinforced plastic material and not only overlaps theinterengaging inclined peripheral edges 21 of the side sections butextends downwardly beyond these overlapped edges and engages the frontor lower forward portion of the lower section 12 and is attached theretoby the bonding agent.

The boat may also include a deck section 35 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and5 and the deck section is comprised of a. pair of deck members 36 eachbeing the mirror image of the other and each being constructed of afiberglass reinforced plastic material such as a polyester resin system.Each deck member 36 includes a forward or low portion 37 and an elongaterearwardly extending portion 38 integrally formed therewith. Referringnow to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the outer longitudinal marginalportion of each deck member 36 is offset upwardly as at 39 then extendsoutwardly at 40 and terminates in a downturned peripheral edge portion41 which defines an attachment surface thereat. It will be seen that thechannel-shaped marginal portion of each deck member receives thelongitudinal upper peripheral edge portion 20 of one of the sidesections therein. The longitudinal attachment surface of each deckmember is disposed in engaging relation with the upper longitudinalattachment surface of the associated side member and is secured theretoby a suitable bonding agent and other additional securing means such asrivets, screws or the like.

The exterior surface of the deck may also be provided with a molding 42which extends throughout the longitudinal length thereof and a suitableresin impregnated elongate fiberglass strip 42a may be bonded to theinterior surfaces of each side section and deck member adjacent thejoint thereof as best seen in FIG. 3.

It will also be noted that the deck members 36 each have an innerlongitudinal edge portion 43 which define attachment surfaces thereat,these attachment surfaces being disposed in engaging relation withrespect to each other and secured together by the compatible bondingagent.

Referring now to FIG. 6 it will be seen that a slightly modified form ofthe sectional boat is there shown and is designated generally by thereference numeral 10a and includes a sectional hull 11a in the manner ofthe embodiment of FIGS. l-S. Although the reinforcing frame structurehas not been illustrated in conjunction with the embodiment of FIG. 6,it is pointed out that this embodiment will also be provided with such areinforcing frame structure.

The sectional hull 11a includes the lower section 12a which is comprisedof a pair of lower section members 12b each comprising the mirror imageof the other. The lower section 12a when assembled will havesubstantially the same configuration as that of the lower section of theembodiment of FIGS. 1-5 and is also formed of fiberglass reinforcedplastic material such as polyester systems. The various other sectionsof the boat 10a are also constructed of fiberglass reinforced plasticmaterial and it will be noted that each lower section 12 has an outer orupper longitudinal edge portion 13a and an inner or lower longitudinalperipheral edge portion 13b, both peripheral edge portions definingattachment surfaces. The rear or stem end of each lower section member12b has an upturned stern portion 14a which terminates in an outturnedsubstantially fiat peripheral edge portion 14b which defines anattachment surface. It will be noted that when the sections 12b areinterconnected together in mating relation, the transverse attachmentsurfaces 14b are of upwardly concave configuration.

The side sections 16a are identical in construction to the side sections16 and each converges forwardly as at 17a and each section includes alongitudinally extending shoulder 18a which terminates in a lowerlongitudinal edge portion 19a. Each side section also has a longitudinalupper peripheral edge portion, a rearwardly facing shoulder 22a and rearvertical peripheral edge portions 23a. The various peripheral edgeportions define attachment surfaces in a manner of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5. A transom section 24a is provided having forwardly turnedperipheral edge portions 25a and an inturned lower transverse peripheraledge portion 27a. It will be noted that the transversely extendingperipheral edge portion 27a is of downwardly convex configuration andmates and,

engages the peripheral edge portions 14b. The peripheral edge portions23a of the side section 16a are received inwardly of the peripheral edgeportions 25a in the manner of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5.

All of the interengaging attachment surfaces of the hull 11a are securedtogether by a suitable bonding agent which is compatible with the resinsystem, and additional securing means such as rivets or screws may beused to secure the side sections to the lower section and also to securethe transom section to the side sections and lower sections. An elongatefiberglass strip or mat may be provided interiorly of the joints betweeneach of the sections to provide a water tight seal thereat and tosubstantially reinforce the joints.

An elongate generally channel-shaped joint member 34a is provided andthis joint member is of substantially identical construction to thejoint member 34 and overlaps the inclined interengaging forwardperipheral edge portions 21a. In order to provide a highly effectivewater sealed joint between the lower sections 12a and 12b and elongatechannel-shaped joint member 34b is provided and this joint member 34b isalso formed .of fiberglass reinforced plastic material and underlies andoverlaps the peripheral edge portions 13b and is secured to the lowersection members 12b by a suitable bonding agent. The adjacent ends ofthe joint members 34a and 34b abut each other so that a continuous jointstructure is defined. It is again pointed out that an elongate strip ofresin impregnated fiberglass may be applied to the interior of the lowersection 12a along the joint between the respective members thereof. Aspointed out above, the boat a will also be provided with a supportingframework identical in construction to that illustrated in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-5, may also be provided with a deck section. Thedeck section 35 will be applied to the side sections in the identicalfashion of the embodiments of FIGS. l-5.

It will be seen that through the use of a sectional boat structure inwhich the various parts are preformed of a molded fiberglass reinforcedplastic material, a relatively large boat such as a cruiser may be soldin kit form and all of the parts thereof may be assembled into a packageof relatively small compass with respect to the width and depthdimension of the package. The package will, of course, have a lengthcorresponding to the length of the boat and it has been found thatpackages for cruisers of thirty feet length may be very conveniently andeconomically transported or otherwise handled. The entire kit may beassembled in a minimum of time with a minimum of effort by one who haslittle or no skill in the art ofboat making. By preforming the varioussections of fiberglass reinforced plastic material, these sections maybe of light weight construction but have strength characteristics atleast equal to if not greater than the conventional cruisers which areconstructed of wood.

It will, therefore, be seen from the foregoing paragraphs that I haveprovided a novel and unique boat structure which is not only of simpleand inexpensive construction but one which may be economically handledand easily assembled.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportion of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A sectional boat kit adapted for ready assembly and including a lowersection formed of molded fiberglass reinforced plastic material andhaving a concave upper surface and having a convex lower surface, saidlower section defining the bottom portion of the boat hull, said lowersection having longitudinal upper peripheral edges converging forwardlytowards the bow end of the boat, and having a transverse upperperipheral edge extending between said longitudinal edges at the sternend of the boat, each of said peripheral edges defining attachmentsurfaces thereat, a pair of side sections each being substantially themirror image of the other and each being formed of molded fiberglassreinforced plastic material said side sections defining the sides of theboat hull an each of said side sections having a generally horizontallylongitudinally extending upper peripheral edge, a lower peripheral edge,an inclined front peripheral edge and a vertical rear peripheral edge,each of said peripherai edges defining attachment surfaces thereat, saidside sections converging forwardly so that the front peripheral edgesare disposed in engaging relation with respect tc each other, the lowerlongitudinal attachment surfaces of the side section engaging the upperlongitudinal attachment surfaces of the lower section, a transom sectiorhaving substantially vertical peripheral edges and a lower transverseperipheral edge, each of said last mentioned edges defining attachmentsurfaces thereat, the vertical attachment surfaces of said transomsection engaging the rear vertical attachment surfaces of said sidesections and said lower transverse attachment surface on said transomsection engaging the upper transverse attachment surface of said lowersection, means sealingly securing all of said interengaging attachmentsurfaces together, a deck section comprised of a pair of deck memberseach being formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic material each beingmirror images of the other, each of said deck members attachmentsurfaces thereon engageable with the upper longitudinal attachmentsurfaces of the side sections, and means sealingly securing said lastmentioned interengaging attachment surfaces together, a frame structurecomprised of a plurality of longitudinal frame elements extendinglongitudinally of the hull, a plurality of transverse frame elementsengaging the longitudinal frame elements and extending transverselythereof, a plurality of elongate upstanding side frame elements eachhaving its lower end secured to one of said transverse and longitudinalframe elements, said side frame elements projecting upwardly along bothsides of said frame structure, said lower and side sections beingsecured to said frame structure and retained in properly contouredrelation thereby, and an elongate generally channel-shaped joint memberformed of fiberglass reinforced plastic material being disposed inoverlapping relation with respect to the interengaging forwardattachment surfaces on said side sections and being sealingly securedthereof by adhesive means.

2. The boat structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the transverseattachment surface on the lower section is of upwardly concaveconfiguration, and the transverse attachment surface on said transommember is of downwardly convex configuration.

3. A sectional boat kit adapted for ready assembly and including a lowersection formed of molding fiberglass reinforced plastic material anddefining the bottom portion of the boat hull, said lower sectioncomprised of a pair of elongate members each having a lower longitudinalperipheral edge, said last mentioned longitudinal edges engaging eachother, the joint defined by said lower longitudinal edges of said lowersection members falling within the vertical center line plane of theboat, an elongate channel-shaped joint member engaging the lower surfaceof said lower section members and overlapping the interengaging lowerlongitudinal edges thereof, means sealingly securing said joint memberto said lower section members, said lower section members each having anupper longitudinal peripheral edge converging forwardly toward the bowend of the boat and having a transverse upper peripheral edge extendingbetween said upper and lower peripheral edges at the stern end of theboat, each of said peripheral edges defining attachment surfacesthereat, a pair of side sections each being substantially the mirrorimage of the other and each being formed of molded fiberglass reinforcedplastic material, said side sections defining the side of the boat hulland each of said side sections having a generally horizontallylongitudinally extending upper peripheral edge, a

lower peripheral edge, an inclined front peripheral edge and a verticalrear peripheral edge, each of said peripheral edges defining attachmentsurfaces thereat, said side sections converging forwardly so that thefront peripheral edges are disposed in engaging relation with respect toeach other, the lower longitudinal attachment surfaces of the sidesections engaging the upper longitudinal attachment surfaces of thelower section, a transom section having substantially verticalperipheral edges and a lower transverse peripheral edge, each of saidlast mentioned edges defining attachment surfaces thereat, the verticalattachment surfaces of said transom section engaging the rear verticalattachment surfaces of said side sections and said lower transverseattachment surface on said transom section engaging the upper transverseattachment surface of said lower section, means sealingly securing allof said interengaging attachment surfaces together, a deck sectioncomprised of a pair of deck members each being formed of fiberglassreinforced plastic material and each being mirror images of the other,each of said deck members having attachment surfaces thereon engageablewith the upper longitudinal attachment surfaces of the side sections andmeans sealingly securing said last mentioned interengaging attachmentsurfaces together, and an elongate generally channel shaped joint memberformed of fiberglass reinforced plastic material being disposed inoverlapping relation with respect to the interengaging forwardattachment surfaces on said side sections and being sealingly securedthereto by adhesive means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 491,417 2/1893 Fincher 9--22,392,834 1/1946 Clement 96 2,504,225 4/1950 Randrup 9--2 3,002,202 10/1961 Luger et al. 96

OTHER REFERENCES Cobb, B., ]r., The Molded Fiberglass Boat, Yachting,February 1958, p. 61.

20 MKLTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

R. A. DORNON, Assistant Examiner.

